Style File: Your Questions Answered

STYLIST MISTY HUBER TELLS US HOW TO WEAR THE STYLES WE LOVE

We love your style questions. From what’s appropriate, to what’s “in,” to what you’re just dying to pull off – your queries get us thinking, and searching for the best answers. This time we turned to Misty Huber, stylist and co-founder of StyleSalt.com and DIYbeautiful.com. Here’s her chic, practical say:

Q.I never know if it’s okay to tuck tops into pants anymore. A few years ago my teenage daughter told me absolutely no tucking in.A. It’s definitely okay! Tucking in your tops is an easy way to define your waist and create an hourglass figure. The trick to pulling it off is to make sure you have a great-fitting pair of pants that lay flat across your stomach and flatter your derriere without bulging, pinching, or pulling. Choose a substantial fabric. Thin fabrics aren’t as forgiving and can show the excess fabric where you’ve tucked in your top.

Q.I am looking for the perfect work/play black leather purse. What brands do you recommend I look at?A. Look for bags that are structured enough for the office, but with fun, going-out details. This season I love Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Q.I have to wear the famous little black dress for work events, and that’s often! Who has the hottest styles this season?A. Little black dresses are one investment piece you know will carry you through several seasons, but it’s exciting too when designers get the inspiration to tweak an already gorgeous staple. Among my favorites this season: Milly and Haute Hippie.

Q.Help! I am a 41 year old single mom of two teenage boys (can’t believe I said it out loud). I want to be stylish and sexy without dressing too young for the office and when I go out. What are some basics? I am a slender 4-6.A. If you’re slender, you want to bring out your curves and emphasize your waist with skirts, tucked-in blouses, and dresses. Dark denim is a fantastic choice because it’s on-trend and flatters every figure (and is very age appropriate). You can still do bold colors as long as they’re not of the fluorescent family, along with sophisticated neutrals and feminine prints.

Q. I need a new black blazer. I like the length of boyfriend jackets because I can wear skinny jeans or leggings while covering my derriere. Is that too fall/winter-ish?A. Where basic blazers are concerned, there are many options that look like a million bucks and usually cost less than $100. Skinny jeans and leggings are both still options for spring, but you should also consider wearing blazers with cropped pants, skirts, and even shorts as spring starts and temperatures start to rise.

Q.I saw the Galliano preview and am mesmerized by his ability to mix patterns that you’d never think would go together. I would love to do that but are there any rules so I don’t end up looking like a hot mess??A. The idea is to not come too close to matching color tones – you don’t want it to look as if you were trying to make them work together, but were off base – or colorblind. If you’re shopping online, open two windows and look at the patterns next to each other. Go with your first reaction as to whether they clash, or if they bring out the best in each other. The combinations you are drawn to may surprise you: mod prints mixed with florals, or a batik print paired with stripes.